NJFFSA16
06-07-2002, 04:34 AM
Act of negligence? Quite possibly.
CANON CITY, Colo. (AP) - Fremont County sheriff's investigators
were investigating whether an overturned charcoal grill sparked one
of the most damaging wildfires in Colorado's history.
Fremont County Sheriff Ivan Middlemiss said Thursday authorities
want to talk to three people about the grill. He didn't name them
and did not call them suspects.
At least 88 homes and more than 100 barns, sheds and
outbuildings were destroyed. The 4,400-acre fire was 97 percent
contained Thursday night and full containment was expected Friday,
Forest Service spokeswoman Barb Timock said.
The fire was believed to have started Sunday afternoon near a
camper trailer on Ponderosa Path near Elkhorn Mountain, 15 miles
southwest of Canon City. An area around a toppled grill was marked
off by yellow crime scene tape.
Middlemiss said the grill was on private land. Outdoor grilling
is banned in Mesa County because of the drought.
Neighbors said they repeatedly warned the property owner to not
use the grill, which were banned by the county because of the fire
danger.
"I've been over there twice and made them put that grill out in
the past couple weeks," said Troy Lidholm, a member of the Deer
Mountain Fire Protection District. "He's been warned numerous
times that he shouldn't have an open fire like that."
If authorities determine the fire was not set intentionally, the
crime could carry a charge of fourth-degree arson with penalties of
up to four years in prison and a year on parole. Penalties could be
higher if the fire was intentionally set.
Those found responsible also could be forced to pay fines and
restitution, and be vulnerable to civil lawsuits from victims and
insurance companies.
Residents said several people were riding all-terrain vehicles
and grilling steaks in the area when one of them crashed and was
whisked away to a hospital, leaving the grill unattended.
"He didn't understand how tinder dry it is up here," said
Jerry Anderson. "Some people want to kill or maim him. Others just
want to know what happened."
Winds of about 40 mph swept the fire across the neighborhood so
quickly Sunday that residents had minutes to grab a few belongings
and firefighters had no time to get in place to save houses.
"I've seen a lot of fires, but that was the worst thing I've
ever seen in my life," said Bill Smith, the retired Deer Mountain
fire chief who managed to save his three dogs, but lost his house
and 29-pound cat.
The fire is the most devastating in Colorado in several years.
Two fires in 2000 destroyed a total of about 75 homes. In 1989, a
fire destroyed 44 homes.
The Interior Department and U.S. Forest Service on Wednesday
banned open fires on federal land in Colorado in an effort to avoid
more wildfires. Gov. Bill Owens banned fire on state lands on
Tuesday.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press
CANON CITY, Colo. (AP) - Fremont County sheriff's investigators
were investigating whether an overturned charcoal grill sparked one
of the most damaging wildfires in Colorado's history.
Fremont County Sheriff Ivan Middlemiss said Thursday authorities
want to talk to three people about the grill. He didn't name them
and did not call them suspects.
At least 88 homes and more than 100 barns, sheds and
outbuildings were destroyed. The 4,400-acre fire was 97 percent
contained Thursday night and full containment was expected Friday,
Forest Service spokeswoman Barb Timock said.
The fire was believed to have started Sunday afternoon near a
camper trailer on Ponderosa Path near Elkhorn Mountain, 15 miles
southwest of Canon City. An area around a toppled grill was marked
off by yellow crime scene tape.
Middlemiss said the grill was on private land. Outdoor grilling
is banned in Mesa County because of the drought.
Neighbors said they repeatedly warned the property owner to not
use the grill, which were banned by the county because of the fire
danger.
"I've been over there twice and made them put that grill out in
the past couple weeks," said Troy Lidholm, a member of the Deer
Mountain Fire Protection District. "He's been warned numerous
times that he shouldn't have an open fire like that."
If authorities determine the fire was not set intentionally, the
crime could carry a charge of fourth-degree arson with penalties of
up to four years in prison and a year on parole. Penalties could be
higher if the fire was intentionally set.
Those found responsible also could be forced to pay fines and
restitution, and be vulnerable to civil lawsuits from victims and
insurance companies.
Residents said several people were riding all-terrain vehicles
and grilling steaks in the area when one of them crashed and was
whisked away to a hospital, leaving the grill unattended.
"He didn't understand how tinder dry it is up here," said
Jerry Anderson. "Some people want to kill or maim him. Others just
want to know what happened."
Winds of about 40 mph swept the fire across the neighborhood so
quickly Sunday that residents had minutes to grab a few belongings
and firefighters had no time to get in place to save houses.
"I've seen a lot of fires, but that was the worst thing I've
ever seen in my life," said Bill Smith, the retired Deer Mountain
fire chief who managed to save his three dogs, but lost his house
and 29-pound cat.
The fire is the most devastating in Colorado in several years.
Two fires in 2000 destroyed a total of about 75 homes. In 1989, a
fire destroyed 44 homes.
The Interior Department and U.S. Forest Service on Wednesday
banned open fires on federal land in Colorado in an effort to avoid
more wildfires. Gov. Bill Owens banned fire on state lands on
Tuesday.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press